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Friday, December 31, 2010

This has been an incredible year for the Shortwave Central blog and her sister blogs MT Milcom and Btown Monitoring Post. Our numbers continue to increase, thanks to you our readers.

A few weeks ago, we expanded our coverage to include post on Twitter (QSLRptMT) (MilcomMP)and the Monitoring Times Shortwave Central Facebook fan page. We're also partnering with the GlobalNet Internet Radio blogspot. (Twitter: GlobalNetMT) If you haven't taken advantage of our new expansions, we encourage you to do so.

This is an exciting time in the world of shortwave and we will continue to bring you the latest. We always welcome your comments or contributions via email to the above email address.

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this coming week, beginning on Saturday.

We hope you will enjoy our radio programmes, whether you listen to them online, via satellite, your local station, or shortwave. Stay tuned!

So this coming week on:

*** The State We're In ***

Dancing in Auschwitz: Adolek Kohn survived Auschwitz. More than 60 years later, he went back. But this time he went with his daughter and three grandchildren. And they danced. To the disco song 'I Will Survive'. It caused a storm of protest, but also inspired a lot of support. Adolek and his daughter Jane tell Jonathan why they did it and how important dancing has been in their lives.Wrongfully convicted: Barry Gibbs was sentenced to 20 years in jail for a murder he didn't commit. He was framed by a cop who was on the Mafia's payroll. But Barry worked daily to get himself free and finally, 19 years into his 20 year sentence, he was released. Barry talks to Jonathan about life back then on the inside, and about life right now on the outside.Sarajevo remembered: Amela Marin Simic survived the siege of Sarajevo. It's something she preferred not to talk about. But after Radovan Karadzic was put on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, she decided to write an audio essay about a video clip that's haunted her since the Bosnian war - one that she's now been able to exorcise.Coffin stealing: John Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya grew up stealing. He and his gang would cruise funeral services and steal the coffins so they could resell them. They finally got caught by the police who shot dead his gang members. John survived by hiding in the casket and then running into the crowd, scaring everyone.The man who disappears people: Frank Ahearn used to be a "skip tracer", tracking down anyone, for anybody, as long as the client paid. After a while, he became disillusioned. He tells Jonathan how he now helps people in trouble "disappear" - often for free.

*** Earth Beat ***

Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we're leaving on our planet

We choose the best of our show from the past year. From life on Mars on Earth, to what it's like to wear the same thing every day for 7 years, listen to our most passionate and interesting guests to start off your new year.

*** Africa in Progress ***

We choose the best of our show from the past year. From life on Mars on Earth, to what it's like to wear the same thing every day for 7 years, listen to our most passionate and interesting guests to start off your new year.

***European Jazz Stage/World Music***

The lute plays an important role in the music from Greece and the Middle-East in today's programme. We begin today with percussionist: Cyro Baptista. He was born in Brazil's San Paulo, but moved to New York in 1980. He has recorded with many well-known names. After many years of touring with people like Herbie Hancock, Sting, Paul Simon, Snoop Dogg and Santana, he decided to form his own ensemble with percussion instruments from all over the world. "My music is like the Brazilian culture: we take in a thousand and one different influences, ... and make our own thing," Baptista said in an interview. We recorded him playing at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam in May 2010. Here is Cyro Baptista and his ensemble with Bird Boy."

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Monday:Works by Mahler, Dvorak, Brahms and Richard Strauss. The concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans.

Tuesday:Featuring Beethoven's Piano concerto no. 4 in G major, and four works on the theme of Orpheus by Von Gluck, Laman, Liszt and Stravinsky. Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Bridges with Africa***

Lively discussion and thought-provoking reports about and from the African continent

*** Commonwealth Story ***

Being Reasonable - by Sandeep Shete from India.The end of a rough journey.(Hilary Staples/Radio Netherlands)

Globovision’s citizen call-in program about life in Venezuela, Alo Ciudadano (Hello Citizen), will now reach a Cuban audience via Radio and TV Martí. As part of expanded coverage of relevant international news, TV Martí began broadcasting Alo Ciudadano on27 December, and Radio Martí will soon air the programme.

“This interactive programme format showcases the compelling approach we are taking toward a 360-degree strategy in news and information,” said Carlos García-Pérez, director of Radio and TV Martí. “We believe our viewers and listeners will find this audience driven programming from Venezuela very relevant to their own experience.”

In a country where many newspapers and broadcast companies are closing down or scaling back, Alo Ciudadano remains one of the few broadcast forums for independent voices. In Alo Ciudadano citizens express their opinions and/or complaints live on the phone or via text messages, which appear on the news ticker.

The programme will be broadcast to Cuba via Radio and TV Martí, on Channel 13 (VHF), Channel 20 (UHF), AM and shortwave radio and will be available online at www.Martinoticias.com.(Source: Broadcasting Board of Governors/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

America’s oldest private international shortwave station WINB is expanding its schedule as of 1 January 2010 (USA date, not UTC date). It will be using a new frequency, 9405 kHz, from 0330-1130 UTC carrying the Christian programme Radio 2:11.

Radio 2:11 will QSL reception reports. They announce their address during the programme. WINB will also QSL reception reports of 9405 kHz with a special QSL card for those submitting sound recordings.(Source: Hans Johnson, WINB/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

A last-minute agreement between Radio Slovakia International and Radio Miami International (WRMI) will permit the international radio station of Slovakia to continue its shortwave transmissions in English and Spanish to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Radio Slovakia International had announced that its shortwave broadcasts would end on 31 December 2010. However, WRMI will be broadcasting RSI’s programme in English at 0130-0200 UTC Tuesday-Saturday and RSI’s Spanish programme at 0330-0400 UTC seven days per week. Both of these transmissions will be on 9955 kHz with 50 kW of power from Miami using a beam of 160 degrees directed to the Caribbean and Latin America.

“We are glad to be able to help Radio Slovakia International continue its shortwave transmissions to this part of the world,” said WRMI General Manager Jeff White. He added that listener reports will be appreciated and will be verified with a special WRMI QSL card commemorating the Radio Slovakia International relay. Reports may be sent to Radio Miami International, P.O. Box 526852, Miami, Florida 33152 USA, or by e-mail to info@wrmi.net (Source: WRMI)

Solar activity was at very low to low levels throughout the period with no flares detected. A partial-halo CME departed the southwest quadrant early on 23 December associated with a filament eruption.

No Proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit remained at normal levels throughout the period.

Geomagnetic activity was at quiet to unsettled levels on 20 December with active to minor storm levels detected at high latitudes. Activity decreased to quiet levels during 21-26 December. The activity observed on 20 December was associated with a period of enhanced IMF Bt (peak 10nT at 20/0404 UTC) coupled with southward IMF Bz (maximum deflection -8 nT at 20/0758 UTC).

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity29 December - 24 January 2011

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a slight chance for C-class activity throughout the period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal levels between 29 December and 11 January. Flux levels are expected to increase to moderate to high levels from 12-13 January. Normal levels are expected for the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet to unsettled on 29 December, due to subsiding affects of the aforementioned CME, before decreasing to quiet levels and remaining through 1 January. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels 2-4 January due to HSS effects from a large coronal hole in the northeast quadrant of the disk. The field is expected to return to quiet from 5-19 January. With recurrent CH HSS effects expected, conditions are expected to be quiet to unsettled 20-21 January, before subsiding to mostly quiet levels for the remainder of the period.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

On this occasion, we are presenting the story of Radio Monte Carlo, and we are also honoring Trans World Radio in Monte Carlo on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. The November issue of the American radio magazine, “NASWA Journal”, reminds us that TWR Monte Carlo celebrated its 50th anniversary a few weeks ago; and some time back, Christian Ghibaudo in France provided us with much of the background information for this feature item.The small European country of Monaco is located against the Mediterranean coast of France, just ten miles from the border of Italy. This country is listed as the second smallest in the world, with only the Vatican being smaller. Monaco is a little more than two miles long, and at its narrowest point it is only 200 yards wide. The total area is just ¾ square mile, and almost a quarter of this total area has been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea.The capital city of Monaco is, Monaco; though another well known city in this tiny enclave is Monte Carlo. The total population of all of the country of Monaco is around 33,000. The country obtains much of its revenue from tourism, with 1½ million people flooding into the area each year.Their national flag shows a plain red banner on the top half and a plain white banner on the bottom half. Surprisingly, the Monaco flag is exactly the same as the flag of both Indonesia & the German state of Hesse, though the dimensions are slightly different.The country of Monaco is also well known for its Casino; and the Monaco Grand Prix car race; and its Tour de France bicycle race. Monaco issues its own colorful postage stamps, and also its own coinage, now in the Euro series.It was back in the year 1956, that the American Hollywood actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in a highly publicized wedding ceremony. The reigning Grimaldi family traces their dynasty back to the year 1297, when the first of their clan took over the throne.This little southern European country was named by Greek seafarers who set up their own colony around the 600s. Another 600 years later, and the area was refounded as an Italian colony dependent upon the city of Genoa. Even though Monaco is an independent country, it is heavily dependent upon neighboring France.It was back in the year 1923 that initial consideration was given to establishing a radio station in Monaco, though nothing definite came of this matter until some 20 years later. During the year 1942, discussions for the establishment of a new international shortwave station took place between the government of Monaco, and the governments of both Germany & Vichy France. In May, a permit was issued for the construction of a powerful shortwave station that could give wide area coverage to German radio programming.Work on the new station moved slowly, though two shortwave transmitters, rated at 100 kW each, were ordered through the Indonesian government. A new transmitter building was constructed into the side of Mt Agel, behind Monte Carlo, and located actually in what is officially French territory.A temporary radio station was inaugurated in an official opening ceremony on July 17, 1943, with the well known French actor, Maurice Chevalier as the Host of Ceremonies. A small shortwave transmitter with just 200 watts was located in Monaco itself, and the mediumwave outlet was the already established transmitter of Radio Mediterranee on 1240 kHz which was located some distance away at Antibes in France. A little over a year later, this new Radio Monte Carlo was closed.In June 1945, Radio Monte Carlo was re-opened by the French, with a 300 watt shortwave transmitter on 6130 kHz; and a year later, a 10 kW mediumwave transmitter on 410 metres, 730 kHz. Both of these units were heard by international radio monitors in England. One year later again, a 25 kW shortwave transmitter was installed and this was noted on air in the United States, as well as in New Zealand & Australia.On two different occasions, Adventist radio programming was noted over Radio Monte Carlo. Beginning in 1957 and for a year or two, the French version of the “Voice of Prophecy” was heard on three shortwave channels; and for a few months in 1999, Adventist World Radio took out a relay via the mediumwave transmitter on 702 kHz for coverage into North Africa in both Arabic & French.In 1958, Trans World Radio signed a contract with Radio Monte Carlo for the establishment of a large shortwave station, and the transmitters would be installed in the disused building constructed into the side of Mt Agel during the German era. Trans World Radio was on the air previously from a site in Tangier, North Africa, but, with the changing political scene in Tangier-Morocco, it became necessary for them to re-locate elsewhere.The new facility for TWR Monte Carlo was inaugurated on October 16, 1960, with the use of a new 100 kW shortwave transmitter under the official callsign 3AM5. An additional 100 kW shortwave transmitter was installed during the following year, and a 500 kW transmitter in 1982. Their studios and offices occupied three floors in a multi-storeyed building in Monte Carlo.At the height of their operation in Monte Carlo, TWR was on the air from the three shortwave transmitters and ten curtain antennas, as well as on mediumwave from a high powered facility nearby. The main antenna systems are located in French territory rented to Monte Carlo, though one antenna for coverage into Europe is located on the northern slopes of Mt Agel in what is regular French territory.These days, with the usage of their own shortwave stations elsewhere, as well as with rental time on additional relay stations, the TWR station in Monte Carlo is in part time use only, just for the morning hours on the two 100 kW transmitters.QSLs from Radio Monte Carlo are quite evident, and multitudes of QSL cards have been issued over the years by Trans World Radio Monte Carlo.(AWR Wavescan/ NWS # 96 via Adrian Peterson)

Monday, December 27, 2010

During the year 2010 the activity of political clandestine stations broadcasting on shortwave has remained almost unchanged from last year and is now at 1092 WBHs (Weekly Broadcasting Hours). This is an increase of just 4 WBHs or 0.3% from 12 months ago.

The activity of clandestine station broadcasting to target areas on the Asian continent has decreased by 1.9% to 730 WBHs. On the American continent the activity has increased by 8.6% to 214 WBHs and on the African continent activity has remained almost unchanged at 148 WBHs.

The most active target areas worldwide are North Korea with 274 WBHs (+22 when compared with last year), Cuba with 214 WBHs (+17) and China P.R. with 189 WBHs (-37).

The number of active target areas worldwide has increased from 17 to 20. The new target areas are Malaysia, Uganda and Djibouti.(Mathias Kropf-D, WDXC-UK Dec 19(BC-DX # 995/Top News via wb, Germany)

Radio Slovakia International has published the following message on its English website:

“We are very sorry to inform you that from January 1, 2011 Radio Slovakia International (RSI) will no longer broadcast on shortwave. The decision was made by the Government and the management of Slovak Radio in order to enable all sections of Radio Slovakia International to utilize modern technology and function effectively. This, however, doesn´t mean we will cancel our daily shows. From now on our broadcast will be available for you via satellite at www.wrn.org and via internet at www.rsi.sk. The good news is our website gets a fresh new design, which shall make it easier for you to access, browse and enjoy our programmes. Our team would like to sincerely thank everyone who’s been in touch with us via shortwave. We hope you will stay with Radio Slovakia International in the upcoming year and we will do our best to satisfy your thirst for information about Slovakia. We look forward to your constant feedback via email, online social networks and letters.”(Source: Radio Slovakia International/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Friday, December 24, 2010

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- On Christmas Eve, members of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center will track Santa on part of his journey to deliver toys to children around the world.

In conjunction with the North American Aerospace Defense Command's 'NORAD Track Santa' program, AOC volunteers will monitor jolly ol' Saint Nick as he makes stops across the globe.

"This Christmas Eve will mark the 55th consecutive year that the men and women of NORAD have tracked Santa," said Col. Randy Spear, 601st AOC commander. "Tracking Santa is part of our history, and (we're) proud to continue this tradition in 2010."

The tradition of tracking Santa started in 1955, when a call was made on Christmas Eve to the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., from a little girl asking to speak to Santa Claus.

A local newspaper published an advertisement inviting children to call Santa Claus but accidently printed the wrong number. Instead of getting Santa, the little girl spoke to Col. Harry Shoup, the senior officer on duty at the command center. Colonel Shoup received numerous calls that night, but rather than hanging up, he instructed all of his operators to find the location of Santa Claus and report it to every child who phoned in that night. Though Colonel Shoup died in March 2009 at the age of 91, his tradition of tracking Santa lives on.

When CONAD became NORAD in 1958, the tradition of tracking Santa transferred to the new command. NORAD is the bi-national military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada.

"My family and I have volunteered and worked three years on the 'NORAD Tracks Santa' call-in line," said Maj. Jeff Pozen, 601st AOC judge advocate officer. "It was a great experience for us and it's awesome to be part of such a rewarding program."

Each year nearly 1,200 volunteers selflessly give their time to the NORAD Tracks Santa program by taking hundreds of thousands phone calls and email from families around the world. Santa trackers at the toll-free NORAD Tracks Santa hotline, 1-877-HI-NORAD, will begin answering phone calls and responding to email at 2 a.m. MST Dec. 24 and will continue until 3 a.m. MST Dec. 25.

"Along with the many volunteers at NORAD answering phone calls and email, we also have four high-tech systems to monitor Santa on his journey around the world Christmas Eve," Colonel Spear said. "As Santa enters continental U.S. airspace, he will be escorted by F-15 (Eagles) or F-16 (Fighting Falcons). During the rest of his journey we will track Santa through radar, satellites and Santa Cams."

As Santa departs the North Pole on Christmas Eve, NORAD operators monitor a radar system consisting of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America that indicates his position. Once Santa is on radar, satellites with infrared sensors are used to detect Rudolph's glowing nose.

The last tracking system used by NORAD to track Santa is the Santa Cam network. High-speed digital cameras are placed throughout the world to capture images of Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. NORAD operators only use these cameras once a year.

Join the NORAD volunteers this holiday season as they track Santa around the world on Christmas Eve at the NORAD Tracks Santa website, http://www.noradsanta.org.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website features holiday games and activities that change daily and is available in seven languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese. On Christmas Eve, the website will stream videos captured by NORAD "Santa Cams," and will have up-to-the-minute updates of Santa's location on Google Maps and Google Earth.

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers stationed from Antarctica to Afghanistan lent their talents and time to craft a video for a poem titled "'Twas a Night in December," based on Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas," but rewritten with a military twist.

More than 40 commands around the world, representing every branch of the military service, participated.

Along with the military people who contributed to this creative effort, country music star Toby Keith introduced the video, reinforcing his long-term support for military and their families stationed around the world.

Some of the servicemembers involved in this holiday greeting were located in the most remote regions in the world. For example, Air Force Capt. Graydon Muller of 6th Special Operations Squadron and Air Force Capt. Rob Marshall of the 8th Special Operations Squadron departed Nov. 24 to climb Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica. Muller and Massif took time away from their climb to speak a few lines for the video.

Other servicemembers from Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Pakistan and throughout the United States participated in making the video. In fact, people on six out of the world's seven continents took part. The video was produced by Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.

'Twas a Night in December

'Twas a night in December and all over the world,At bases and stations where our flag flies unfurled,The Holiday season had long since commenced,And spread its spirit of cheer through the Department of Defense.

Combat boots sat at ease by the fence line with care,In hopes that a return date soon would be there.

At home, loved ones slept sound in their beds,With visions of troops coming home in their heads.As Moms perform night patrols, and Dads conduct checks,A long winter's nap is the last thing they expect.When out on the tarmac arose such a clatter,Soldiers and sailors sprang up to see what was the matter.

Away to the deck, they hustled, they dashed,Some ran through a passageway, one opened a hatch.

In Antarctica, moonlight shimmered on the snow,A sliver of light shown on the objects below.And what to our wondering eyes should appear,But letters and packages bundled with care.Yet it wasn't just there that we saw these things land,We received them as well, here in Afghanistan!They were packaged so well that they could withstand,The harsh desert winds full of Iraqi sand.Onto Nicaragua with volcanoes and lakes,Padded so carefully that nothing would breakAddressed from our family and friends we hold dear,With Holiday greetings and a "Wish You Were Here!"We lined up and claimed them, with smiles ear-to-ear,Every person overcome with Holiday cheer.

Your support and your thoughts are the best possible gift,We send you our thanks for giving our spirits such a lift.Thanks from the National GuardThanks from the Army,Thanks from the Navy,Thanks from the Marines,Thanks from the Air Force,Thanks from the Coast Guard,We want you to know how much this gift means.In our eyes you're super, and we mean A-OK.

We will do our duty and keep defending our freedom,And wish you and yours the very best this Holiday season!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this coming week, beginning on Saturday.

We hope you will enjoy our radio programmes, whether you listen to them online,via satellite, your local station, or shortwave. Stay tuned!

So this coming week on:

*** The State We're In ***

A Christmas specialA Bosnian Christmas Carol: Jonathan recalls the time he went to his wife's hometown in Bosnia for a brandy-soaked and exhausting - but ultimately poignant - Orthodox Christmas ritual. The visit is even more cherished now as one of the family members he recorded passed away recently.Black Peter: In Holland, Santa's helpers are called Zwarte Pieten, or Black Peter. They're white people in black face, wearing black, curly haired wigs. RNW's Davion Ford is African-American and even though he loves both Christmas and living in the Netherlands, he can't help but look on the tradition with a mix of outrage and humour.Dixie mix: Daniel Gonzales is a lapsed Catholic from El Salvador. His wife, Lisa Greenman is an observant Jew from Illinois. They've relocated to a small town in Alabama whose population is overwhelmingly Bible Belt Christian. It's been a huge adjustment - on all sides, but it's working out fine.

*** Earth Beat ***

Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we're leaving on our planet

Our producers pick their favourite pieces from 2010. From living a silent life and dissecting a burger, to making one's own toaster and a husband and wife having it out over eco-differences, we revisit what we liked best about Earth Beat.

*** Africa in Progress ***

The young brain behind African UnionPeter Wangulu was a first year university student when he heard one African president calling on the youth to take up the spirit of pan Africanism. He wrote a letter with seven objectives for forming one body of Africa states. His letter was positively received, and 32 African leaders gathered to form the OAU, now the African Union. Decades later, an OAU flag still adorns his house in Uganda. In this interview, he explains what inspired him and how he looks at Africa today.

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a freshperspective on events and life in Europe.

This week:* A feast of festive figures - why Slovenians believe three Father Christmases are better than one.* White witch - Italy's La Befana celebrations leave blokes out in the cold.* The ghost of Christmas past - Ukrainians get all nostalgic for old traditions.* Pass the eyeball - the Norwegian holiday feast with a difference.

*** Network Europe Extra ***

Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnershipof international broadcasters.

Our best stories from 2010* Demolition derby - the race to save Moscow's architectural gems.* Young gypsy guitarists keep the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive 50 years after his death.* Penguin pride: gay cartoon penguins Gus and Waldo have their flippers on the pulse.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):1530 South Asia 11835, 15745

***European Jazz Stage/World Music***

The performances of Monajat Yultchieva from Uzbekistan and Savina Yannatou from Greece, two singers with a unique sound, are characterised by their incredible intensity and expression.

The diva of classical Uzbek singing, Monajat Yultchieva beautifully decorates her compelling, story-telling songs about love for the divine. A rare voice with a huge range which sounds like a dove gliding on a spring breeze.

The voice of Savina Yannatou from Greece is just as fascinating. Her repertoire of classical and folk music includes medieval and baroque music as well as modern improvised songs permeated with folk, jazz and Arabian influences. Savina Yannatou performs songs from the Mediterranean culture, from the regions around the Mediterranean Sea. She sings her songs with great passion and conviction, accompanied by her ensemble Primavera en Salonico. An enchantingly beautiful voice which touches you right in the heart.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Monday:Music by Messiaen, Dvorak, Roussel and Honegger performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Theo Wolters. Soloists are J.Y Thibaudet (piano) and Cynthia Millar (ondes martinot). Your hosts are Hans Haffmans and Bart Visman.

Tuesday:The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, in a programme filled with 18th-century works. Alongside Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, there is a Mozart piano concerto, followed by Haydn's Cello Concerto. Your host, as usual, is Hans Haffmans.

*** Bridges with Africa***

Lively discussion and thought-provoking reports about and from the Africancontinent

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A quick reminder to our blog readers of the Doghouse Charlie website. For the latest in Christmas programming check out Fred Waterer's website. Fred is our Programming Matters columnist in Monitoring Times, and his website is a great place to begin your programming listening. For details, go to http://doghousecharlie.com/christmas-and-seasonal-programming-2010-11/

The next edition of Media Network Plus will have it's first transmission December 25 at 0200UTC. www.pcjmedia.com

The items are:1. Media and press freedom in Ukraine.2. A listen to the lighter side of broadcasting with some radio bloopers from 2010 and some classic BBC Radio bloopers. Including an edition of Headline Edition with Taylor Grant on ABC Radio where none of the live reports worked. Two classic radio interviews where things didn't go as planned from CBC Radio's As It Happens with Barbara Frum, Radio bloopers from China Radio International's CRI News & Reports. A couple of radio anecdotes told by Stuart Parkins and Bob Zanotti.

From December 24th at 1500UTC until December 26th at 0600UTC PCJ Radio will present a selection of Christmas music for the holiday season. You will be able to enjoy a selection of traditional and un-traditional Christmas classics.To listen you can either log onto http://www.pcjmedia.com/ or tune in on FM,MV and SW VIA by any one of our partner stations.

Pope Benedict XVI’s traditional Christmas Eve mass will be streamed live on the Internet in six languages and available on iPhones around the world, the Vatican said today. The Italian-language mass will be translated into English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. The pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on 25 December and the New Year’s Day mass will also be available, the Vatican added in a statement. There will also be a commentary in Chinese for the Christmas Eve mass and in Arabic for the New Year’s Day mass.

The streaming service will be available on www.pope2you.net, www.pccs.va and www.vaticanradio.org and “allows anyone, anywhere in the world to follow the celebrations and guarantees fast connections,” the statement said. Pope Benedict has emphasised the importance of social media communications during his pontificate, which began in 2005. The Vatican now has its own YouTube channel, a Facebook application called Pope2You and regular podcasts.(Source: AFP/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Paul Rowley has a new documentary airing on BBC local radio over the holiday period on the 1970 election and the influence of RNI/Caroline.

At the moment it's being aired on BBC Radios Cambridgeshire, Coventry and Warwickshire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Three Counties, may also run on Radios Manchester, Sheffield, Essex, Jersey and Berkshire.

Bolivia
6134.80, Radio Santa Cruz, 1015-1030. Just a weak signal with a male in steady Spanish language comments. Conditions are poor this morning on all bands. At 1021 a female joins the male in comments. As noted, the signal was weak and poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Chad
6165, RNT, *0426-0510. Sign on with Balafon interval signal. National anthem at 0429. Opening French announcements at 0430. Local Afro-pop music at 0431. French talk. In the clear after Radio Netherlands signs off at 0427. Weak but readable. (Brian Alexander, PA)

China
4940, Voice of Strait, 1530. Start of the Sunday only program in English, Focus on China. Faintly heard ID ("this is the Voice of Strait, Fuzhou, China"). Far underneath a much stronger AIR Guwahati (AIR news in English). Mostly unusable, checked at 1556 to hear Chinese, so today was just a 25 minute program. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

6125, CNR1, 1311-1340. In English and Chinese with special live coverage from the stadium in Guangzhou of the opening ceremony of the Asian Para Games. Signal good. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

4500, Xinjiang PBS Urumqi, 0042-0105. Listed as Mongolian. Male/female announcers with talk and brief music selections, including disco-era Bee Gees cover tune. Five pips at 0100 and woman announcer with a presumed ID. Right back to more male/female announcers. Signal poor to fair. Battling with utility interference. (Scott Barbour-NH)

Clandestine
7590, Radio Free Sarawak, *2230-2330.* Sign on with instrumental music and opening announcements. Talk in unidentified language. Mentions of Sarawak. Some US pop music. ID at 2328. Said “bye-bye” at 2330 sign off. Fair. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ethiopia
6110, Radio Fana, *0258-0335. Sign on with interval signal. Vernacular talk at 0300. Some instrumental music. Horn of Africa music. Weak. Poor. Mixing with BBC at their scheduled time of *0300-0330*. Radio Fana in the clear with a good signal after 0330. Very weak on // 7210. (Brian Alexander, PA)

9705, Radio Ethiopia, 2050-2100.* Horn of Africa music. Instrumental remakes of US pop music. Possible Amharic news at 2057. Sign off with national anthem at 2059. Signal noted as good. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Madagascar
5010, Radio Madagasikara (Ambohidrano), 0234-0245. Malagasy. Talk by man. Pop music at 0235, more European than African. A couple of rooster sounds at 0239, then lively local pops. At 0243, man and woman with multiple IDs and talk with off and on Jingle Bells in the background. Drums at 0245 followed by ID and talk by man. Good to very good signal with moderate fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Niger9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2100-2258.* Audible after Radio Ethiopia signed off with French talk. Afro-pop, Euro-pop music. Qur`an at approximately 2253. Sign off with flute interval signal, followed by national anthem at 2256. Fair. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Nigeria
15120, Voice of Nigeria (Ikorodu), 0547-0605. English. Man and woman talking about financial planning followed by a story about a carnival. West African pop music at 0559. Drums at 0600 and news read by a man. Very strong signal with little fading, unusual for this time of night on 19 meters. Also noted other African transmitters on 15580 (VOA - Botswana), 15255 (Channel Africa - Meyerton), 15205 and 15275 (Deutsche Welle - Kigali), and 15190 (Radio Africa - Equatorial Guinea). Signal strengths were unusually strong for all. (Jim Evans, TN)

4746.92, Radio Huanta 2000, 1040-1050. Signal just barely making it here. Noted some Spanish talk, but mainly music. Signal was threshold. (Chuck Bolland,FL)

6019.287, Radio Victoria, 1045-1055. Another very weak signal being covered with a het, noted a male (probably David M.) preaching in Spanish. At 1047 possibly music presented, but can't be sure? Signal was threshold. (Chuck Bolland, FL).

Saudi Arabia15250, BSKSA Riyadh, 1203-1228.* English. Woman announcer with English news regarding Obama and Koreas, New Delhi talks, 1206 program Enviromental Issues on researching causes of beached whales, 1216 music program with intro "video killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles (that's the very first video aired on MTV, way back in 1982, for all you trivia buffs). Partial pop music selections. Never played an entire song, until pulled the plug at 1228. Signal fair and improving. (Scott Barbour, NH)

The Media Park in Hilversum has been given planning permission expand by 170,000 square metres. Hilversum councillor Lon Jooren-van der Boor said yesterday it was a milestone for the media centre, and announced that in 2011 the sixtieth anniversary anniversary of Dutch television will be celebrated there.

The Media Park is home to a large number of broadcasters, production companies and the Dutch Institute for Sound and Vision. It currently employs over six thousand people, but that number will rise substantially with the expansion. Outdated buildings will make way for new ones. The expansion plan includes space for new amenities such as a hotel, restaurants and small retailers. Also, the area will become more attractive to the public visiting a recording or live production. In April a child care centre is due to open.

The plan is not without its critics. RTL Nederland has already indicated that it wants to move to Amsterdam. The other major commercial TV broadcaster in the Netherlands, SBS, is already based in Amsterdam. Some critics within the industry cite the continuing traffic problems around and within Hilversum, and say there needs to be investment in better road connections.(Source: AD/Broadcast Magazine/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Construction work on Broadcasting House has been completed and the building handed to the BBC by developer Land Securities and building contractor Bovis Lend Lease. Redeveloping Broadcasting House has enabled the BBC to make potential savings of over £172 million from the disposal of other BBC properties in London. News teams are expected to move in during 2012, allowing the corporation to close Bush House and Television Centre.

The building’s redevelopment is part of the BBC’s 2020 Property Vision, to re-shape the BBC estate at minimum cost. Broadcasting House is located at the north end of Regent Street in London’s West End. More than 5000 staff will work at the multimedia production and broadcast centre, providing television, radio and online services.

BBC chief operating officer Caroline Thomson said: “This world-class facility will deliver public service broadcasting to a global audience and provide an accessible, public space where broadcaster and audience can meet.”(Source: propertyweek.com/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Some time back, you will remember, we presented the story here in Wavescan, of the great wireless station that was located at Rocky Point on Long Island, New York. At the time, it surely was the world’s largest wireless station, and if it had been built to its intended potential, then it would have become a a majestic electronic wonder. This radio station was also in use at times for the relay of programming on behalf of the Voice of America.It is not so well known however, that RCA Rocky Point was also in co-operation with another wireless organization, AT&T, for communication across the Atlantic. This is what happened.Back during the year 1922, AT&T began experimenting with an attempt to bridge the Atlantic Ocean with a wireless signal. These experiments were underway at the early AT&T facility located at Deal Beach in New Jersey and the test communications were conducted on longwave channels. These wireless tests with a comparatively low powered transmitter were quite successful and it was demonstrated that a reliable communication service could be established between the United States and England.The project was then moved from the AT&T facility at Deal Beach New Jersey to RCA Rocky Point on Long Island. AT&T rented from RCA the space for the longwave transmitter and the associated antenna systems. A huge 200 kW Alexanderson alternator was installed at Rocky Point and test transmissions in Morse Code commenced in March 1926.A little less than a year later, on January 27, 1927, the new trans-Atlantic communication service was opened from Rocky Point under the callsign WNL using the longwave channels 56.5 & 58.5 kHz. The receiver station in Great Britain was located at Cupar in Scotland, and the return service to North America was rendered by transmitter GBR, the huge Post office station located at Rugby.Surprisingly, this longwave communication service between the United States and England was in use for nearly half a century and it was not closed down until the year 1970.The receiver station for AT&T Rocky Point was located at Houlton in Maine, quite close to the Canadian border in New Brunswick, and in more recent time this location was in use by AT&T as a Telstar satellite receiver station.Thus, the American terminal for the first trans-Atlantic communication service was indeed located at Rocky Point Long Island, but it was an AT&T unit located in an RCA facility.(AWR Wavescan/ NWS95 via Adrian Peterson)

In our program today, we continue on from where we left off two weeks ago in the story of shortwave broadcasting in Sweden. As you will remember, this topic was suggested by Claes Englund in Sweden and Bruce White in Australia.After things settled down in Europe in the middle of last century, Sweden placed an order with the Marconi company in England for the purchase of two shortwave transmitters at 100 kW each. These two units were installed at the already existing radio station located at Horby which had been erected in 1928, and they were inaugurated in 1952.Some 20 years later, two high powered shortwave transmitters rated at 500 kW each were installed at Horby. However, due to coronal arcing in the antenna system during foggy weather, the power level of these units was reduced to 350 kW.At the same time as the shortwave facilities at Horby were increased, a similar project at Karlsborg took place. This station was originally established back in 1918 as a spark wireless communication facility. A 500 kW transmitter was installed in the 1970s, and the output of this unit was also reduced to 350 kW due to the coronal arcing problem in the antenna systems.As we are aware, Sweden closed down its two shortwave stations, Horby & Karlsborg, and the one remaining mediumwave station at Solvesborg, at the end of October. Nationwide coverage on radio in Sweden is now obtained with several networks of FM stations totaling anywhere up to 2,000 transmitters.Over the years, there have been two additional radio stations of interest in Sweden. A large communication station known as Goteborg Radio traces its earliest origins back to the year 1905. This station was progressively located at four different sites over the years, and it has been well known under the callsigns SAG & SAB.The other interesting station is the old spark wireless station at Grimeton which was inaugurated in the 1920s by King Gustav 5. The old long wave Alexanderson alternator is still functional, and it is placed on the air once each year under the callsign SAQ.Radio Sweden was a prolific verifier of reception reports and we are aware of at least 50 different designs for their QSL cards. Likewise, many QSL cards have been issued for the old longwave transmitter SAQ, and for Goteborg Radio SAG & SAB.We should also remember the long running DX program from Radio Sweden, “Sweden Calling DXers”. The script for this program began with Arne Skoog in 1948, the program was taken over by the American George Wood in 1978, the name was changed to MediaScan a few years later, and the program ended in 2001.This then, is the story of shortwave broadcasting in Sweden, running from 1938 - 2010.(AWR Wavescan/NSW95 via Adrian Peterson)

Captain Morgan Shortwave6925AM 0213-0250.* Vintage music program with male announcer in English providing two IDs note and gmail address at 0232 and 0250 closing. Poor to fair signal. (Rich D’Angelo/FCDX-PA)

Hunk a Junk Radio6925USB, 2221, SIO 333. Some interference from the pesques, FDR speech about the Japanese in WWII. Station ID at 2221, Mighty Mouse theme, Mr. Ed theme. Signoff at 2225 (Fansome, PA)

Liquid Radio6925AM, 0013-0022. Signal weak and poor. Dance music and just managed to hear the ID as liquidradio.com. At 0022, lost the signal due to another station. The mutual interference rendered both stations unintelligible. (Majewski CT)

MAC Shortwave3275.9AM, 0146-0157.+ "M-A-C, the station that Paul Starr never listens to." Elvis and the Beatles to Ultraman Show spot into Obama interview. Apparently same show as previous night. SIO 454. (Frodge-MI)

Radio Chaucer (via WBNY Relay Service)6898AM, 1838-1854* Lots of IDs from a female announcer saying: "you have been listening to Radio Chaucer." Eclectic collections of unrelated stuff that I identified in my log book as "stuff." A rendition of Twist and Shout, which was rather Calypso. Talk in French, Germna nd maybe Italian. Something about "boiling hot coffee" and chatter from a man whose "girlfriend sent me to prison." (Heard on my FRG-7700, so the real frequency could be anything. Some fading, but mostly SIO 353. (Hunsicker, PA)

Radio Casablanca6940AM, 1505 1645.* Thirties music and many sound clips from the movie. Also Roosevelt's post Pearl Harbor broadcast to nation. (353, Hunsicker, PA)

Radio Ronin Shortwave6924.60AM, 2309-2330. Caught the last part of their e-mail address @gmail.com, then into a program of songs done by female singers, such as Janis Joplin, Carly Simon, Join Mitchell, California Dreaming by the Mama's and Papa's ( which RRS confirmed that it was one of songs from this e-mail address radioroninshortwave@gmail.com, after posting on the FRN Website )and Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt. Signal held up pretty good but by 2328 was losing ground and lost the signal pretty much by 2330 fade-out. RRS e-mailed me requesting my address for a hard copy QSL...many thanks to RRS for this special broadcast and the QSL Reply..do appreciate this !!.. (SIO-4/3,5,4/3- Edward Kusalik-ALB)

The Voice of the Testrato (?) (Via WBNY Relay Service)6898AM, 1903-1910.* "To save your voice, remove your testicles immediately." Alternating classical music and singing by a female, alto or, perhaps, a member of the Vienna boys choir. (Heard on my FRG-7700, so the real frequency could be anything. SIO 454. (Hunsicker, PA)

WEAK Radio6925USB, 2110-2126. Rhythmic thumping music I couldn't identify, fairly clear WEAK Radio ID at closing. Ended just as gray line propagation was beginning to improve. (Jenkins TX)

QSLsLex Jenkins got one from The Timekeeper at Current Time Radio, QSL #1 for online logs in 2009 (FRN and HFU). Two full data signed QSL sheets with photo of scene from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest; a signed digital atomic wall clock!; a holiday assortment of pogey bait - beer glass, stickers, lots of Juicy Fruit gum!

Ron Hunsicker got two: First is a well-documented e-mail QSL from Germ Radio for their broadcast on 3 December 2010. The text was printed over a grainy photograph of protoplasm that disappointed the voyeur in me because no cells were dividing. The second is a letter from Commander Bunny that included 1) a full data, post card WBNY Relay QSL for a broadcast of Radio Chaucer on 27 November, 2) a full-data, large card WBNY Relay QSL for a broadcast of the Voice of Testrato on 27 November, 3) a Commander Bunny 2012 Presidential Platform pamphlet, 4) a Commander Bunny for President oval sticker, and 5) a Commander Bunny 2011 calendar refrigerator magnet, which is now on my refrigerator holding a note buy cases of Black &, Tan and Blue Moon.(FRW 773/774/775)

Monday, December 20, 2010

With the recent announcement that Radio Prague will cease shortwave on December 31, 2010, the following announcement has been released by Radio Prague.Gayle

According to Radio Prague’s Mailbox program of 19 December: “Some of our listeners might be wondering what will happen with reception reports and QSL cards after Radio Prague goes off the air [on shortwave]. After February 1st, Radio Prague will still verify your reception over the internet. There is a new set of cards featuring Bohemian and Moravian castles which will soon appear on our website.”(Source: Radio Prague/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

This week we've seen three issues of DX Mix News released involving a number of frequency changes. The following schedule updates, reflect the last issue for the year. My special thanks to the contributors that have provided the newsletters throughout the year. Our blog readers and Monitoring Times readers appreciate your assistance.Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager-Monitoring Times

This week I received a slightly appreviated version of the Radio Netherlands Program Preview. Included at the end, is their current English frequency schedule to assist your listening. This English version, as well as all language services, are included in the electronic version of Monitoring Times, MT ExPress.Gayle Van Horn, MT Frequency Manager

Radio Netherlands

Sunday Dec. 19

Network Europe ExtraArts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

On the next Network Europe Extra:• Former French porn star Ovidie on the sexual liberation of French women• Cuba Libre: We hear from a Czech DJ who headed south• A novel turn: A Nobel Prize-winning author’s book is turned into a rock opera in Poland• Sculptor, race car driver, dentist: we hear from UK Renaissance man Neil Lawson-Baker

Monday Dec. 20

Hear the WorldDjivan Gasparyan from Armenia is the grand master of the duduk, the Armenian oboe made from apricot wood. At the Music Meeting in Nijmegen, he played tranquil and melancholic folk melodies with his duduk quartet. The Stevens church in the city of Nijmegen provided an ideal acoustic space to catch the Armenian soul in the enchanting delecate sounds of the duduk.

The Black Sea Orchestra consists of musicians representing musical traditions from eight countries on the Black Sea: Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Russia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Romania and Georgia. Every member of the group contributes a composition from his or her own tradition to the Music Meeting while the other members respond with spontaneous improvisation.

Hosted by Dheera Sujan. Produced by RNW Music.

Network EuropeA collaboration by Europe’s leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Live! at the Concertgebouw - 2008(primary program)

Recorded live at Amsterdam's world famous music stage, the Concertgebouw, this week's edition offers you another chance to listen to Holland’s foremost musicians in classical works from around the world.

The State We're In (Midweek Edition)“The art of smuggling”

The war on smuggling: Matthew Bogdanos is both a Reservist in the US Marines, and a lawyer. He was in Iraq when the looting of the national museum began, and moved quickly to recover its treasures. He’s worked across several continents and even been shot at while on the job.

The art of smuggling: Jonathan Tokeley-Parry spent three years behind bars for his role in smuggling artefacts out of Egypt. And he’s unrepentant, arguing that smuggling antiquities is the right thing to do if it gets them out of the hands of corrupt, incompetent officials.

Africa in Progress

“The challenges of publishing books in Africa”

What was the last book you read? And was it published in Africa? Chimurenga, StoryMoja, Farafina and Kwani are names of African publishing houses. The middle class is reading and buying more books and so the industry is thriving here and there, but there are many challenges: illiteracy, many languages, censorship, competition from abroad, and now: electronic publishing.

Our guests on this show are Divine Fuh (Cameroon) and Mirjam de Bruijn (Netherlands).

Live ! at the Concertgebouw - 2008The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, in a programme filled with 18th-century works. Alongside Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, there is a Mozart Piano concerto, followed by Haydn's Cello Concerto. Your host, as usual, is Hans Haffmans.

Network EuropeA collaboration by Europe’s leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Wednesday Dec. 22

Network EuropeA collaboration by Europe’s leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Earth Beat IndiaA short version of RNW’s environmental programme Earth Beat produced for broadcast in partnership with All India Radio.

Thursday Dec 23

Network Europe

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

South Asia WiredProgramme in which South Asians get to talk to each other hosted by Dheera Sujan

Listen to South Asia Wired for the full story behind the news from the region.'Friday Dec 24

Bridges with AfricaLively discussion and thought-provoking reports about and from the African continent

In Bridges with Africa this week, we take a closer look at new developments in the Victoire Ingabire case, we talk about the cuts in Dutch budget aid, we have a report on an NGO called The Hunger Project, we have an interview with the honorable South African justice Albi Sachs, and we have a report on Zimbabweans waiting for their visa in downtown Johannesburg.

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet

“Preparing to celebrate”

With the holiday season rapidly approaching we look at some of the more unusual ways in which people party. How hard is it for a vegan to cook Christmas dinner? And should we all be renting our Christmas trees? Earth Beat sees the old year out and the new year in with different takes on festive cheer.

Network EuropeA collaboration by Europe’s leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.(Ashleigh Elson/Radio Netherlands)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Text of report by South Korean newspaper Choson Ilbo website on 16 December

Four radio stations broadcasting programmes to North Korea joined hands in a live event at Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul on Wednesday afternoon.

Radio Free North Korea, North Korea Reform Radio, Open Radio for North Korea, and RadioFree Chosun denounced the North for shelling Yeonpyeong Island in November and called for the resumption of propaganda broadcasts to the North. A telephone conversation with a North Korean was played during the live broadcast. The resident of North Hamgyong Province, identified only as Choi, said that after the shelling rice prices more than doubled and power supply was cut off there.

“When I was in the North, I listened a lot to radio programmes broadcast from South Korea,” one defector said. “Although I was afraid of being found out, I listened because I was anxious to know about the outside world. Many people there did the same”.

Ha Tae-keung, the head of Open Radio, called for the South Korean government to support the stations. “Currently, broadcasters specializing in programmes for the North are transmitting on shortwave, which costs tens of thousands of dollars in royalties to foreign countries. We could broadcast better sound quality to more North Koreans if we’re given mediumwave or AM frequencies which the government isn’t using”.